Lockheed & Mitsubishi’s F-2 Fighter may be replaced with ATD-X (X-2)

October 25/16: For the first time since WW2, UK and Japanese fighters will duke it out in aerial combat drills at Japan’s northern Misawa Air Base. Four RAF Eurofighter Typhoons and a C-17 support plane touched down on Saturday and will face off against and fly with Japanese F-15s and domestically built Mitsubishi F-2s in an exercise dubbed Guardian North 16. The exercise is also being seen as an opportunity by Tokyo to see the Typhoon in action as it ponders the replacement of the F-2 and the choice of using a cheaper non-stealth superiority fighter based on an existing design or a much more expensive program to develop their own indigenous stealth fighter.

Keep reading for the whole story with recent events put in context

Mitsubisihi F-2s
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Japan already produces F-15J Eagle aircraft under license from Boeing, and in 1987 they selected Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet as the basis for a “local” design that would replace its 1970s era F-1s. The aim was to produce a less expensive fighter that would complement its F-15s, provide a bridge for key aerospace technology transfers, and give Japan’s aerospace industry experience with cutting-edge manufacturing and component technologies.

The F-2’s increased range is very useful to Japan, given their need to cover large land and maritime areas. Nevertheless, a combination of design decisions and meddling from Washington ensured that these fighters ended up costing almost as much as a twin-engine F-15J Eagle, without delivering the same performance. As a result, production ended early, and the 2011 tsunami made Japan’s fleet even smaller. The remaining fleet will continue to receive upgrades, in order to keep them combat capable for many years to come.

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Japan’s F-2 Program

F-2: The Aircraft

MHI’s F-1 w. ASMs
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Japan’s Mitsubishi F-1 heralded the revival of Japanese fighter design, but it was never really a front-line air combat fighter. Rather, it was derived from a trainer, and given secondary strike capabilities.

Japan’s F-2 aimed to take the next step, and become a full front-line fighter. While it looks like the F-16 from which it was derived, it’s noticeably bigger. Changes include a 17″ longer fuselage, larger horizontal tails, 25% more wing area, more internal fuel storage, and 2 more weapon store stations than the F-16.

F-2A vs. F-16C
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The aircraft is powered by GE’s uprated F110-129 engine generating 17,000 pounds of thrust, or 29,600 pounds with afterburners on. The centerline and inner-wing hardpoints are “wet,” and can carry drop tanks with up to 4,400kg of fuel for long range combat air patrols.

Mitsubishi’s AAM-4B active-seeker medium range air-to-air missile is being added, along with a radar upgrade to APG-2 status. Together, they’ll give the F-2 the ability to attack multiple aerial opponents from medium range. They’ll also allow the fighters to fire and leave, if desired, instead of having to close into visual range while providing a radar lock for the AIM-7 Sparrow.

F-2: The Program

F-2A & F-4J Kai
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As noted above, the point of the F-2 program was to produce a cheaper fighter to complement its F-15s, provide a bridge for key aerospace technology transfers, and give Japan’s aerospace industry experience with cutting-edge manufacturing and component technologies. Unfortunately, the US Congress proved to be a significant program obstacle, raising many questions about technology transfer issues. That delayed the program by at least 2 years, and the resulting changes led to a better but more expensive design.

In the end, the F-2 delivered on its techno-industrial promises. Mitsubishi’s heavy use of graphite epoxy and co-cured composite technology for the wings encountered some teething problems, but proved to be a leading-edge use of a technology that provides weight savings, improved range, and some stealth benefits. This technology was then transferred back to America, as part of the program’s industrial partnership.

2003 Guam exercise
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On the flip side, the ambitious goal of developing a fighter that used so many new technologies exacted a price. At a reported $108 million per plane in 2004 dollars, the F-2 is as expensive as the F-15s it seeks to supplement. Unfortunately, its overall performance, smaller radar size, and single engine make it a less capable aircraft. As a result, a program originally intended to field 130 fighters ceased production at 94.

At least 18 F-2s were damaged in the 2011 tsunami, leaving a reduced fleet. That fleet will continue to receive upgrades, including upgrades to their Japanese radars, improved missiles, avionics improvements, and other required upgrades over time. Japan is also moving to try and rehabilitate and upgrade up to 13 of the 18 damaged planes.

Upgraded F-2s will continue flying alongside Japan’s F-15Js, and Japan’s next-generation F-35A fighters. With the JASDF’s F-4J and RF-4J Kai(zen) Phantom IIs slated for retirement, and China bent on aggressive moves in and around Japan, every fighter will count.

F-2: Industrial Partnerships

The government of Japan has overall F-2 program responsibility, and funds the program. Under the agreement, Japan is responsible for producing approximately 60% of the aircraft and the other 40% is produced in the USA. The Japanese defense ministry’s Technical Research and Development Institute is also involved in designing ongoing upgrades, in collaboration with program partner firms.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is the prime contractor and has design responsibility for portions of the airframe and avionics, the digital flight controls, the active phased array radar, and certain support equipment. MHI is also responsible for overall systems integration, and all components are assembled by at their Komaki South Plant near Nagoya, Japan. MHI delivered the first production aircraft to the Ministry of Defense in September 2000.

Composite wing
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Key Japanese subcontractors include Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). FHI is responsible for developing the aircraft nose cone, the composite upper skin for the wing, and the horizontal and vertical tail assemblies. KHI is responsible for the center fuselage. The aircraft’s fly by wire system is a co-development with Japan Aviation Electric and Honeywell. Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries (IHI), another Japanese participant, produces the F110-GE-129 engines under license to General Electric of the United States.

Lockheed Martin provides about 40% of the overall fighter: all the aft fuselages, wing leading-edge flaps and stores management systems; 80% of all left-hand wing boxes; and other avionics and avionics support equipment. They also support MHI and the JASDF as they incorporate new weapons like Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), and aid in other support activities. Lockheed Martin components are shipped to MHI’s Komaki-South facility, where they are assembled with other components by MHI to form the F-2.

Contracts & Key Events

2011 – 2016

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is the prime contractor for the F-2. Lockheed Martin is the major subcontractor under the terms of their partnership.

October 25/16: For the first time since WW2, UK and Japanese fighters will duke it out in aerial combat drills at Japan’s northern Misawa Air Base. Four RAF Eurofighter Typhoons and a C-17 support plane touched down on Saturday and will face off against and fly with Japanese F-15s and domestically built Mitsubishi F-2s in an exercise dubbed Guardian North 16. The exercise is also being seen as an opportunity by Tokyo to see the Typhoon in action as it ponders the replacement of the F-2 and the choice of using a cheaper non-stealth superiority fighter based on an existing design or a much more expensive program to develop their own indigenous stealth fighter.

October 17/16: Lockheed Martin has offered to collaborate with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) on jointly developing a new fighter for Japan. LM President Marillyn Hewson made the disclosure saying the company will participate in a second round of Request For Information by Japan’s Ministry of Defense next year. Set to be the replacement for Tokyo’s current fleet of F-2s, other potential collaborators who have responded to the initial RFI include Boeing.

July 29/16: Plans for October? Mitsubishi’s X-2 stealth demonstrator is to go on public display at Gifu Air Base, Japan, on October 30. This will be one of the first times regular punters can get up close and personal with the new jet following its maiden flight in April. For those rushing to check those dates, authorities have advised to leave the cars at home and come via rail.

July 21/16: Industry partners already lining up for the Japanese F-3 program include US giants Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The new program is set to replace the existing F-2 fighter with a next generation stealth fighter based on the X-2 Shinshin experimental aircraft. With the F-3 planned for 2027, any partners taken into the development program stand to earn from a $20 billion project.

April 28/16: After numerous delays in its maiden flight which occurred last week amid much excitement from manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), the X-2 stealth demonstrator will have a year long test campaign involving around 50 flights. With the maiden flight described as “ordinary” by Hirofumi Doi, manager of Japan’s Future Fighter Program at the defence ministry’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), future testing will help ATLA gather data on advanced fighter technologies such as stealth, thrust vectoring, data links, and other areas. Depending on this data, flight testing of the X-2 could easily be extended, leading the way for a potentially busy period for the demonstrator.

April 25/16: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has announced the successful maiden flight of its X-2 stealth demonstrator. The test flight now makes Japan the world’s fourth nation to test-fly a stealth aircraft. After performing a number of basic maneuvers, the X-2 left Nagoya Airport and landed at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Gifu Air Base. In development since 2009, the X-2 program has seen MHI cooperate with 220 domestic companies alongside Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) to develop the necessary technologies.

April 14/16: Mitsubishi’s X-2 stealth demonstrator has moved one step closer to its first flight after a series of taxi and runway tests since January. The aircraft has now moved into the Vr stage whereby the aircraft accelerated to rotation speed, and the pilot pulled the nose wheel off the ground. Testing took place at the Nagoya Airfield on April 9, and precedes the plane’s maiden flight, expected by the end of the month.

April 13/16: The first flight of Mitsubishi’s X-2 (formally ATD-X) stealth demonstrator is expected to take place toward the end of this month. Initially scheduled for February, the maiden flight was pushed back by the developers out of caution, but the jet has been spotted undertaking runway and taxiing tests over the last number of weeks. The X-2 is being developed to lay the basis for a Japanese made replacement of Mitsubishi’s F-2, due to be retired in 2028.

March 24/16: The Japanese government has opened talks with western fighter manufacturers such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, over their participation in helping to build the country’s next F-3 series of fighter jets. Talks come as the Mitsubishi developed ATD-X experimental stealth aircraft prepares for its first test flights within the next few days. The indigenous ATD-X would be part of any attempt by Japan to develop their own F-3 fighter, with analysts expecting such a program to cost at least $40 billion. While this may prove too costly, Japan is anxious to continue developing its stealth technologies as it tries not to fall behind regional rival China.

March 8/16: Mitsubishi’s X-2 has been performing well in taxi tests according to Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA). The agency was happy with the progress it was making, saying they were “proceeding with tests, performing very careful maintenance, and making some minor adjustments.” However, the agency hasn’t commented on the jet’s future flying schedule, or how many test flights will take place in 2016. The maiden flight had been originally planned for February.

February 12/16: The Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin was recently photographed while out for its first taxi test at Nagoya airport. After its unveiling to the public just last month, a maiden flight for the stealth demonstrator, formally known as the ATD-X, is just weeks away, bar any upcoming technical problems. The Shinshin, which means “spirit of the heart,” is Japan’s first foray into developing experimental stealth technologies and will form the basis for its fifth generation F-3 fighters planned for 2027.

January 29/16: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has unveiled to the press their latest ATD-X stealth fighter prototype at their plant in Komaki. The fifth generation stealth fighter was developed alongside Defense Ministry’s Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) with the aim of seeing if an indigenously produced stealth fighter could be developed in Japan along with researching the technologies required. With its first test flight due this year, full scale production could be under way as early as 2018. The new jet will replace the aging Mitsubishi F-2 and F-15, while complementing its F-35 acquisition as Japan looks to take more responsibility over defending it’s territory and population.

December 29/15: Mitsubishi’s ATD-X stealth fighter is to make its maiden flight in February 2016 according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. The indigenous fighter is set to complete taxiing and ground trials in late January prior to the voyage. The demonstrator model is Japan’s first attempt at developing an entirely domestically produced stealth fighter, but has been suffering from delays. It is hoped that the ATD-X program will eventually lead to their own F-3 fighter to be produced by 2027.

December 7/15: Japan has made plans to test its very own fifth generation stealth jet, making it only the fourth country in the world to do so. The maiden flight of the ATD-X will take place in the first quarter of 2016 and aims to replace the current F-2 fighters in service. The development program is the most expensive in Japan’s history, costing $324 million. Japan’s announcement comes at a time when President Abe is modernizing the Japanese Self-Defence Force and new laws to send Japanese troops abroad. The re-militarization has received much chagrin from neighbours China and South Korea as well as domestic protests against Japan’s resurgent ultra-nationalism.

Dec 19/13: Lockheed Martin announces that they’ve delivered the first F-2 aft and leading edge flaps as part of a “restoration plan to replenish Japan’s F-2 fleet,” in cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

Discussions with Lockheed Martin confirmed that Japan will try to repair and refurbish up to 13 of the 18 fighters damaged in the 2011 tsunami. With initial F-35 price soaring over $120 million per plane, this is a much cheaper way to try and increase the JASDF fleet. If it works, of course. Sources: Lockheed Martin, “Lockheed Martin Supports Japanese F-2 Restoration Program”.

Dec 12/13: Budget. Japan’s 5-year military budget features a slight increase, with political cover provided by an aggressive new Chinese “Air Defense Identification Zone” that includes Japanese territory. Japanese moves will include shifting a 2nd squadron of F-15Js to Naha Air Base in Okinawa, but they’ll need to cover the territory that the shifted F-15s are leaving.

The AAM-4B will be the same size as the AIM-7 Sparrow missile, but it will have an AESA radar seeker head, in order to allow active homing and lock-on after launch. These abilities allow the launching fighter to leave the area or shift attention to other targets, instead of having to remain vulnerable while homing in on the target until impact. A reported 20% range improvement over the AIM-7M Sparrow, and a 40% improvement in autonomous guidance distance over the AIM-120B AMRAAM, would really improve the F-2’s overall air-to-air performance. Japan might get similar improvements from buying the latest AIM-120C7 AMRAAM, though it’s hard to tell. What’s certain is that they wouldn’t get the same design and production experience.

The J/APG-2 involves J/APG-1 upgrades. Despite AESA technology’s natural advantages, Aviation Week points out that the APG-1 is not seen as a top of the line radar. It was an early AESA example, and many features were limited to “best we could do at the time” technologies. Upgrades seem to revolve around improvements to radiated power and signal processing. All the JASDF will say, is that the APG-2 and AAM-4B will give F-2As a new ability to engage multiple targets from medium range.

The new systems were developed by the Japanese defense ministry’s Technical Research and Development Institute with considerable help from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (missile integration) and Mitsubishi Electric (radar upgrades). Sources: Aviation Week, “Japan’s Air-to-Air Upgrades”

Fleet upgrades

April 20/11: Tsunami aftermath. Japan seems willing to try and repair some of the 18 Matsushima F-2s damaged in the tsunami, though they’re concerned that with the final F-2 delivery scheduled for this autumn, a parts shortage is a real possibility.

Repairs and parts production could keep the production line busy longer than expected. Still, as Kyle Mizokami points out, inundation with seawater can’t be good for the planes’ electronics and structures. New Pacific Institute | Sankei Shimbun [in Japanese].

Post-tsunami
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March 12/11: Tsunami! With nuclear plants in danger of full meltdown, and thousands dead in the wake of a 1-2 punch from an 8.9 earthquake and its tsunami, losing 18 F-2 fighters is a minor cost in the overall scheme of things. Still, Japan’s low military spending levels, and its need to finance reconstruction, mean that the JASDF has taken a significant hit. IAF News:

“The Sendai airport authority in Miyagi Prefecture said the airport’s runways were submerged by tidal waves. The Air Self-Defense Force’s Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi was inundated with seawater, damaging 18 F-2 fighters and a number of other aircraft possibly permanently, the Defense Ministry said.”

2002 – 2010

Confirmed contracts for 49, as total F-2 orders rise to 94.

F-2B
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April 8/08: +8. Lockheed Martin announces the 12th and final contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), valued at approximately $250 million. Lockheed Martin will manufacture all of the aft fuselages, wing leading-edge flaps and stores management systems; 80% of all left-hand wing boxes; and other avionics and avionics support equipment, for 8 additional F-2 production aircraft.

This award brings the total aircraft under contract to 94, which is the total that the Japan Government has authorized for production. Lockheed Martin is also working with MHI to define appropriate post-production support arrangements. Lockheed Martin release.

March 31/06: +5. Lockheed Martin receives a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) valued at over $145 million to manufacture components for 5 additional F-2 production aircraft. This is the 10th annual contract for F2 production, bringing the total aircraft under contract to 81. At this point, more than 60 F-2 fighters are in service in Japan. Lockheed Martin release.

March 31/05: +5. Lockheed Martin receives a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) valued at over $125 million to manufacture components for 5 additional F-2 production aircraft. This new award brings the total aircraft under contract to 76. Lockheed Martin release.

March 31/04: +6. Lockheed Martin receives a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) valued at over $130 million to manufacture components for 6 additional F-2 production aircraft. This new award brings the total aircraft under contract to 71. Lockheed Martin release.

April 27/03: Industrial.Lockheed Martin announces a new 3-year labor agreement with District Lodge 776 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the largest union at its Fort Worth, TX aircraft manufacturing facility. The new contract will allow the union members to report to work as usual on Monday, April 28/03, and resume their production of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, major portions of the F/A-22 Raptor, and components for Japan’s F-2 fighter, among other projects.

March 31/03: +8. Lockheed Martin receives a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) valued at $160 million to manufacture components for 8 additional F-2 production aircraft. This new award brings the total aircraft under contract to 65, with 36 total F-2s delivered by the end of the month. Lockheed Martin release.

March 29/02: +12. Lockheed Martin receives a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) valued at over $200 million to manufacture components for 12 additional F-2 production aircraft. This new award is the 6th annual contract under the MHI-LMCO partnership, and brings the total aircraft under contract to 57; by the end this month, 28 F-2s had been delivered to the JDA. Lockheed Martin release.

1995 – 2001

From prototype delivery to 1st deployment.

F-2 fighter

October 2001: Deployment. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force deploys the first F-2 to Misawa AB in northern Japan. Source.

Deployed

April 20/2000: Industrial. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company’s military aircraft design and production facility in Fort Worth, TX is awarded the coveted Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. Named after internationally acclaimed industrialist Shigeo Shingo of Japan, the Shingo is sometimes referred to as the Nobel Prize of manufacturing.

Lockheed Martin ‘s release says that they are the largest single company, and the first aerospace prime contractor, ever to receive the award. It adds that they earned the award for several outstanding achievements, including substantial progress in implementing lean manufacturing principles in the production of the F-16, F-22 and Japan F-2 fighter aircraft. Other award criteria included the company’s successful partnering with customers and suppliers, application of innovative product development, et. al. Lockheed Martin release.

February 24/98: Industrial. Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems has implemented an automated control process to streamline its procedures for documenting non-conforming material in the factory that produces the F-16 and major components for the F-22 and F-2 fighters. The change is one aspect of a lean manufacturing and quality improvement initiative that began in 1992.

Under the new process, 7 steps are streamlined into 4. The Quality Assurance Inspector enters the Quality Assurance Report (QAR) QAR directly into the PAAC data management system via computer. It is then reviewed by personnel who enter the QAR disposition into the system, which automatically performs transactions and creates rework or repair orders based on disposition. A laser printed paper QAR copy is routed with parts and then sent to the Quality Assurance Inspector who closes the QAR.

The old process took between 20 to 30 days to complete. With the automated system, up to 10 days can be cut from the cycle. By 2001, by 2001, Lockheed projects project net cumulative savings of over $1 million from this system, plus significant cycle time improvements and lower QAR rates. The automated process has already been successfully implemented in the F-22 program, and is scheduled to be implemented in the F-2 program by the end of February 1998. It will be fully implemented in the F-16 program by the end of 1998, and will be applied to future programs such as the Joint Strike Fighter. Lockheed Martin release.